Why I Coach

In my decade of coaching, I have coached twenty three players who have played college baseball (at any level), and one who has played professionally.  That is an average of 2.3 players per graduating class going on to college, and one in ten years playing as a profession.  Roughly, 67% of the players I coach do not go on to play baseball in college, and over 99% have not ever make a dime playing the game.  Nationwide numbers indicate that roughly 5.6% of all high school players play NCAA baseball, and only 0.5% of all high school players will ever play professionally.  Aside from the players who eventually become coaches, we are not preparing them for a future in the game.  So why do it?

The answer varies by individual, but if you’re in coaching for the right reasons, there will be a lot of similar themes.  A popular reason is that it is a way for the coach to help build character and leadership through the game they love.  Sports play a valuable role in our society as a means of allowing our students to learn positive character traits.  Even though most players will not make a living in the game, they will use many of the character traits they learn or develop while playing ball in their eventual careers.

One of the reason I decided to be come a coach was because of the coaches in my life.  I appreciated what they did for my development on and off the field, and wanted to replicate that experience for others.  My experience with quality youth and high school coaches is not afforded to every player in our country.  Many stop playing because they don’t receive quality instruction or there is an over emphasis on outcomes at too early an age.  This is one of the main reason I started Cornerstone Coaching Academy.  As a coach I can impact the 50 or so players in our program every year.  If I can reach 50 coaches every year, I can have a positive impact on more than 600 players per year.

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I believe that baseball is a great game and I want to see others have the same positive experience I had as a player.  To see this happen, success cannot be measured in wins and losses.  If that is the only measure of success, very few teams in a given league can have a “successful” season.  Success needs to be defined by the effort that is put in, the improvement that is shown, a focus on the process of improvement, and learning to play the game the right way.  Wins and losses are often dictated by talent, anyone can be successful under this model.

Yes, I also love to compete, and coaching allows me to stay involved in the game I love.  I enjoy winning, but I also appreciate the lessons taught by losing, and understand that facing adversity will likely be more beneficial to an athlete in the long run than sailing a smooth sea.   I realize that I am not training the next Ken Griffey Jr. (maybe someday), but I coach because I enjoy pushing people to reach excellence.  I feel satisfaction when players achieve things they never thought possible, and I know that I will have an impact on their lives down the road.

Those are just a few of the reasons I coach... why do you coach?

If you, or a league you coach in would like to enhance the experience of the players in your league, please contact us at kyle@cornerstonecoachingacademy.com to see what Cornerstone can do for you.

View Cornerstone's Silver Certification Curriculum at www.cornerstonecoachingacademy.com/silver-certification.